Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
707
Family
PYRALIDAE
A variable family, the adults having moderately long,
narrow bodies, prominent palps, relatively narrow fore
wings and broad hind wings. The larvae usually have
few body hairs and are often extremely active when
disturbed.
Acrobasis consociella
(Hübner) (
707-710
)
A locally common pest of oak (
Quercus
), and
sometimes troublesome on young amenity trees and
nursery stock. Widespread in Europe
DESCRIPTION
Adult:
19-22 mm wingspan; fore wings mainly
greyish pink or crimson, suffused with white, purplish
red, black and brownish black; hind wings light
brownish grey.
Larva:
up to 15 mm long; dull greyish
green to yellowish grey, with darker longitudinal lines;
pinacula small and blackish; head yellowish brown;
prothoracic plate yellowish brown, spotted with black;
first thoracic segment with a pair of dark, whitish-
bordered spots.
707
Adult of
Acrobasis consociella
.
708
LIFE HISTORY
Adults occur mainly in July and August, but sometimes
earlier. Eggs are deposited on oak trees, and hatch
shortly afterwards. Larvae then feed briefly on the
foliage before entering hibernation. Overwintered
larvae reappear in the following year, groups of
individuals inhabiting distinctive clusters of tightly
webbed leaves. Such habitations are typically formed at
the tips of young shoots, and are very noticeable on
young trees from late May onwards. Fully grown larvae
pupate in cocoons formed within the larval habitation,
708
Larva of
Acrobasis consociella
.
710
709
709
Larval habitation of
Acrobasis consociella
on
Quercus
.
710
Acrobasis consociella
damage to shoots of
Quercus
.
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